Montblanc, the name, is familiar with the highest peak in Western Europe and the epitome of expert craftsmanship in writing instruments. The latest offering of the respected brand is a tribute to the first ascent of Europe’s highest peak with a limited edition collection. Montblanc is paying homage to Mont Blanc with the High Artistry The First Ascent of the Mont Blanc Limited Edition range. Before we delve into the beautiful examples, a brief prologue- the Mont Blanc summit was conquered by two mountaineers, Jacques Balmat and Michel-Gabriel Paccard. While the duo conquered the towering natural phenomenon, Wilhelm Dziambor, Christian Lausen, and Claus Johannes Voss founded Montblanc keeping the mountain as a benchmark and a symbol of perfection against which they measured every achievement. Let’s take a closer look at the creation that faultlessly heralds the courageous first ascent of the Mont Blanc summit:
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This beauty is inspired by the shape of the Mer de Glace glacier near Chamonix with the overlay engraving depicting a monster. The legend goes the glacier resembles a beast which is why this limited edition fountain pen is adorned with a frosted surface in a translucent glacial blue lacquer. The crown of the gold rhodium-coated cap is crafted out of granite sourced from the Mont Blanc mountain range.
The cap ring pays homage to the brave mountaineers with an engraving of the date’ 8 Août 1786′. Another standout detail is the handcrafted Au 750 solid gold rhodium-coated nib embossed with an edelweiss flower. The cone of the edition is etched with a design from the Chamonix valley.
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The Mer de Glace glacier delivers inspiration yet again with its fable of the monster in tow. The first ascent took place in 1786; hence this version is limited to a quantity of 86 pens to honor the year. What sets this iteration apart are the alpinist’s essential tools, alpenstock, and ax, ingrained in the clip. The Au 750 solid yellow gold clip ring is where the triumphant date, ‘8 Août 1786,’ is etched. A leather-bound Balmat’s diary carried on the expedition inspired the writing instrument’s vegetable-tanned leather embossed barrel.
The lettering on the barrel is an extract from Balmat’s handwritten account of that historic day in 1786. Interestingly, the Au 750 solid yellow gold fittings decorations denote mountaineering shoe rivets. A 3D relief of the edelweiss flower finds a place on the handcrafted Au 750 solid yellow gold nib, while the cap top features smoky quartz that can be detached to reveal the Montblanc emblem made of mother-of-pearl.
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The initials of Jacques Balmat and the year of the first ascent, ‘JqB 1786′, make a mark on the cap of this handcrafter Au 750 solid white gold writing instrument. The highlight of this limited edition pen is an emblem bearing Balmat’s portrait in enamel with a scenic view of Mont Blanc. The overlay looks impressive with a 3-D depiction of the Mont Blanc massif. This version seems breathtaking with brilliant-cut diamonds and the date’ 8 Août 1786′, engraved on the Au 750 solid yellow gold clip ring. The alpenstock and ax are miniaturized in the clip.
This pen includes several historical aspects of the summit; the unrefined chunk of Au 750 solid yellow gold is a reminder of Balmat’s search for gold in the mountain. Furthermore, the Au 750 solid yellow gold barrel is handset with embellishments from the Chamonix area and highlighted with brilliant-cut diamonds.
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Edition 5 brings Alpine beauty and drizzles it with precious metals and gemstones. No doubt capturing the majesty of the Mont Blanc is nearly impossible with a writing instrument. Still, the mammoth feat is beautifully managed around the cap using a color palette of seventeen different shades and materials. From shimmering mother-of-pearl, leathers, and a selection of precious woods, a motley of materials amalgamate to create artistic depth and dimension.
The barrel appears eye-catching owing to fine woodwork using seven different types of wood in a pattern inspired by the Savoy rosette – a traditional decoration of the region. Tiny cognac-colored tourmalines highlight this intricate wooden pattern. Miniature replicas of the alpenstock and ax make for the clip, yet again, whereas the cap top stars smoky quartz that opens to reveal a skeletonized ‘Mont Blanc massif’ set with a 2 ct. diamond on the Montblanc emblem. This gorgeous Au 750 solid rose-tone gold pen also features an engraving of the route taken by Balmat and Paccard in brilliant-cut diamonds.
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The towering Mont Blanc comes to the masterpiece that is Montblanc in the form of a handcrafted miniature grisaille enamel painting encircling the Au 750 solid white gold cap. The mountain scene is highlighted with rows of alternating diamonds and sapphires. Like the earlier version, the cap top reveals a skeletonized ‘Mont Blanc massif’ in a high-value center stone resting atop an engraved Montblanc emblem. The cap of the Mont Blanc Limited Edition 1 pays tribute to Horace-Bénédict de Saussure, who supported the expedition and invented the cyanometer.
A unique visualization of this device made of diamonds and blue lacquered color fields adorns the cap of the Mont Blanc Limited Edition 1. An attractive azurite cabochon comes sheathed in sapphire glass, and a depiction of the Mont Blanc Mountain ornaments the forepart with brilliant-cut diamonds. The handcrafted Au 750 solid white gold nib features a 3D relief of the edelweiss flower and a diamond in its center.
